Liquid storage and distribution system



April 28, 1942.-

I LIQUID STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM W. VON PHUL. JR

Filed Oct. 23, 1940 4 Sheets-'Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY7 April 28`, 1942. w. voN PHUL, JR

LIQUID STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 f' Filed Oct. 23, 1940 INVENTOR ATTORNEYJ' ,April 28, 1942. w. voN PHUL, JR 2,281,051 i LIQUID STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION SYISTEM Filed Oct. 23, 1940 .4 Shets-Sheet 3 V Fig.l

ATTORNEU April 28, 1942. w. voN'PHuL, JR- l 2,281,057

LIQUID STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 23, 1940 Patented Apr. 28, 1942 OFFICE LIQUID STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM William von Phul, Jr., New York, N. Y.

Application October 23, 194-0, SerialNo. 362,405

This invention relates to systems for storing" 11 Claims.

and distributing liquids, and relates more particularly to systems by means of which gasoline, fuel oil or other liquids of inflammable nature or of importance to national defense can be stored and distributed with a minimum oi` danger of destruction or loss by bombing, shell fire and sabotage. if

Gasoline and fuel oil normally are stored in large tanks, either above ground in tank farms,

or below the ground,`for example, in fortified or defense areas. The tank farms are particularly susceptible to damage or destruction Vby means of bombs or shell re, for the reason that the tanks are usually closely spaced and an explosion of one tank may set re to the whole group of tanks on thefarm. Moreover, inasmuch as the tanks are above ground, they cast shadows and, even though expertly camouflaged, may be detected readily from the air.

There is less danger of destruction of a groupr of tanks by a direct hit or an explosion in one of the tanks when they are buried in the ground. Nevertheless, the loss of even one tank, which may hold many thousands of gallons of gasoline or fuel oil may constitute a serious loss and render the area untenable during the ensuing conflagration. In addition to this disadvantage of underground storage systems, considerable difficulty is always encountered in installing such 'systems and sometimesthe terrain is such that* it is almost impossible to properly protect the tanks. For example, in order to protect a large vertical cylindrical tank, the excavation must be deeper than the height of the tank,` so that a layer of earth or concrete may be placed over the top of the tank to a depth sufficient to afford at least partial protection to the tank. In territory where a rock formation is covered only by a relatively thin layer of earth, `such excavations can be made only by blasting and at great ex-` pense.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system which is not easily'damaged by bombing or shell fire, for storing gasoline and fuel oil or other liquid, `and which,` even if damaged minimizes the loss of such liquids.

Another objectof the invention is to provide liquid storage and distribution systems which are easily installed in substantially any type of terrain, without rendering them visible from the air Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the description of typical forms of systems embodying the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, systems for storing and distributing fluids, such as, for example, gas, gasoline, fuel oil and water, are provided which include a network of storage pipes that are used both for thestorage and conduction of fluids and disposed in spaced apart relation in a series of filled or covered trenches `at such intervals as to minimize the damage caused by the explosion of bombs or shells.` The storage pipes are arranged to prevent damage to more than one or two sections thereof by a single explosion, and to prevent the liquid in the remainder of the system from leaking out and being lost when one or more sections are destroyed.

The storage pipes preferably are of sufficient length and diameter to hold relatively large quantities of liquid, as compared with ordinary liquid distribution pipes but are smaller than the usual gasoline or oil storage tanks. They may be connected by means of pipes of smaller diameter which are provided with valves or other checking means for isolating each of the larger storage pipes. In this Way, if one section of the network is damaged, only the liquid in the damaged section of the storage pipe will be lost. Inasmuch as numerous pipe sections are used in the system, each section holding only a small fraction of the quantity of liquid normally receivable in the usual gasoline storage tank, for example, of the type used on tank farms, a very large num-ber of sections must be destroyed or damaged before the amount of liquid that is lost will equal the loss caused by destruction of one of these large tanks. Moreover, because of the spacing of the pipe sections and their disposition underground it is possible for a shell or a bomb to explode in the storage area without damaging even one pipe section. y

The systems embodying the present invention have the additional advantages of being easy to fill and drain and easy to install underground with a relatively small amount of excavation, as compared with the installation of a series of large storage tanks of equal capacity.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a typical layout of a liquid storage and distribution system embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View of a portion of the system showing details of the connections in the system;

Fig. 4 is a view of a portion of the system illustrating a modified form of valve construction; Fig. 5 is a View of a form of device for checking the flow of liquid in the system;

Fig. 6 is a View in section of a typical system including the form of ow checking device disclosed in Fig.,5;`

Fig. 7 is a side view of another' form of ow checking device; and

Fig. 8 is a modified form of liquid storage and distributing system embodying the present in- Y vention, as installed in connection with an airplane landing field.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 consists essentially of aplurality of rows Illa, Ib, Illc and Id of storage pipes l@ which are buried beneath the surface of the earth. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2; each row of pipe sections `may be made up ofthree sections of storage pipe ID connected in series by means of smaller pipes II, although a greater or lesser number of pipe sections may be used, as desired. While the pipe sections Il) may have continuous walls,

they may be provided with manholes to facilitate cleaning and repair, if desired.

Each of the connecting pipes Il has a valve I2 therein adjacent to each end of each pipe section I0 so that the pipe sections Ill may be isolated from each other when the valves I2 are closed or placed in communication with each other when the valves are open. The end pipe sections Il) at the upper ends cf each row I llc, Illb, Illc and lcd, as viewed in Fig. 1, are connected to the transverse pipe I3 by means of pipes I5. Theppe I 3 is provided with a branch I3a through which the liquid `may be passed for distribution to vthe several rows of pipes lla to Id. Each of these rows of pipes may be connected to or isolated from the feed pipe I 3 by means of valves I6'in the pipes I 5. The pipe I3 is also provided with valves I1 between the rows of pipe sections Illa to I lld and the branch I 3a. Like--4 Wise, the pipe section I0 at the lower end of each row` of pipes Illa to 19d, as viewed in Fig. 1, is

` connected to an outlet pipe I8 by means of pipes I9 which are ,provided with valves 2li. 'Ihe pipe has an outlet branch I8a and valves 2l are interposed in pipe I8 between the rows Illa. to Id and the outlet branch Ilia.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the vliquid distribution pipes 'Il are connected near the bottoms of the pipe sections I0 soY that the liquid can be substantially completely withdrawn from the pipe sections. Preferably the pipes II are made up of sections IIa having anged ends IIb which permit ready replacement of damaged sections of these pipes and the valves I2. The other distribution pipes and valves may be arranged similarly.

The rows of storage pipes lll and the intercom necting liquid distribution pipes Il, I3, I5, IB

' and I 9 may be readily installed in trenches which Vmay be dug by means of aditch digging machine. The individual tanks `and the connecting pipes are covered, for example, with dirt after p .they have Abeen positioned in the trenches. Inasmuch as it is possible to .dig a trench very rapidly with a ditch digging machine, the time and -labor required for installing a typical system is greatly reduced, as compared with the time and labor required `to install one or more .large .cylindrical storage' tanks.

In installing the system, the individual storl contents of only two sections would be lost.

As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 the valves I2, as well as the other valves, may be actuated by means of actuating handles 22 fixed to elongated shafts 23 connecting with the valve plugs or gates; the valve actuating handles 22 being disposed in boxes or manholes 24 at the surface of the earth where they are readily accessible, as shown in Fig. 2 or above ground as shown in Fig. 3. If desired, electrically actuated valves 25, shown in Fig. 4, may be used, these valves being controlled from a central control panel.

With this system in operation, it will be seen that by .isolating the various tanks, only a relatively small number thereof 'may be damaged by a single direct hit, and this damage cannot spread to other tanks which are isolated therefrom. However, by opening the various valves l2, I'I and I6, it is possible to fill the entire system and by pening the valves I2, 20 and 2l, it is possible to drain the entire system.

If desired, in order to Vfacilitate draining of the various storage pipes Ill, when one or more of the pipes I9 are damaged, additional by-pass pipes 25 may be connected to the distribution pipes II between the valves I2 of the rows Ia to Id so that the liquid may be by-passed around damaged sections. Moreover, other by-pass pipes may be connected 'at different points in the system, for example, a pipe 2li may extend subn stantially parallel to the rows Illa to Illd and is connected to the pipes I3, 25 and I8. As many of the pipes 26 maybe used in the system, as may be desired.

It will be understood that the by-pass pipes 25 and 26 maybe providedwith valves 2'1 similar to valves I2, so that communication between the parallel rows of pipes may be shut oi.

As illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, another type of liquid checking device may be substituted for one or more of the valves I2, I6, I1, 20, 2l and 21, when the system is drained by means Yof pressure exerted on the iiuid. For example, one or more motor driven compressors may supply carbon dioxide under pressure Vto thesystem from a gas tank B to blow theliquid from the system, as shown in Fig. 6.

The checking device disclosed in Fig. 5 consists of a plurality of straight, sections of pipe IIc, Ild, I Ie, IIf and IIg connected by bend elbows Ilh to form an inverted U-member 29 of greater height than 'the pipe section III. The pipe I Ie is provided with a check valve 30 which permits air to leak into the U-member 29 when the liquid is not being forced therethrough, thereby permitting the liquid to drop in pipes Ildand IIf tothe level of the liquid in the pipe sections I9. When yliquid .is Aforced upwardly along the pipes I'ld or 'I If the air escapes through the valve 3!) `and the liquid flows over the U-member 29 into the next adjacent pipe section I0. With vthis construction, when a U-member 29 is broken ythe liquid canfleak. from, at most, only two sections I0, the air lock on opposite sides of these sections preventing other sections from being drained. By jforming the U-members 29 'of'aseries of sections of pipe, it

is easy to by'pa'ss from one section of the U-member 29 to another section of another U-member 29 and. thereby to cut one or more damaged pipe sections l outfof the system.

The form of checking device disclosed in Fig. Z is similar in principle to the device disclosed in Fig. 5, in that it includes a U-member of greater height than the pipe sections I0. The U'member 35 is formed of two generally S-shaped, flanged pipes 35a and 35h which may be formed of a series of straight and elbow pipes. The S-shaped pipe 35h, may be provided with an air escape valve 36 of the type described above.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, a similar arrangement may be provided outside of an area which is to be used, for example, as an airplane landing field. In this system, main storage tanks 40 and 4I of relatively large capacity may be disposed at the edge of the landing field area L, either above or below ground, to receive the main supply of gasoline or fuel oil. The large tanks 40 and 4l may be connected to a pipe 42 by means of short pipes 43 and 44 each having a valve 45 therein. A similar valve 45 is disposed in the pipe 42 between the tanks 40 and 4l. Opposite ends of the pipe 42 are connected to the storage pipe sections 46 and these pipe sections 46 are connected by small liquid distribution pipes 41. Suitable valves 48 are interposed in the pipes 41 and 42 adjacent the ends of the various secf tions 46. The large tanks 40 and 4I serve as the main liquid supply from which liquid is withdrawn as desired. Should the large tanks 40 and 4| be damaged by bombing or shell fire, a reserve supply of liquid is available in the storage pipe sections which will be sufcient to supply the aircraft at the eld until additional storage facilities are made available.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided a simple, readily installed liquid storage and distribution system which prevents the liquids from being lost or destroyed by shell fire, bombing or other explosions. Moreover, these systems localize fires created by the explosion of one or more tanks.

It will be understood, of course, that there may be other arrangements of storage sections or tanks than those described above, due to variations in the type of terrain in which they are installed, and accordingly, the forms of the invention described above should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A system for storing and distributing liquids comprising a plurality of spaced apart storage containers formed of sections of pipe for storing and distributing liquid, each section of pipe being of materially larger cross-sectional area than is required to distribute said liquid but smaller in cross-sectional area than the usual storage tank, pipes of little storage capacity and small cross-sectional area connecting said storage containers, checking means in each pipe of little storage capacity for isolating the liquid in said containers, and means to introduce liquid into said pipes and containers and remove it therefrom.

2. A system for storing, protecting and distributing liquids comprising a plurality of spaced rows of storage containers formed of sections of pipe of materially larger cross-sectional area than ordinary flow conduits, but of materially smaller cross-sectional area and storage capacity than ordinary storage tanks disposed beneath the surface of the earth, each row vcontaining a plurality of spaced apart storage containers connected in series by liquid distribution pipes of small cross-sectional area and storagek capacity having checking means therein for isolating the liquid in said storage containers, and other small liquid distribution pipes connecting said rows in parallel communicating with the storage containers at the ends of said rows for delivering liquid to and withdrawing liquid from said storage containers.

3. A system for storing,` distributing and protecting liquids comprising a plurality of rows of storage containers spaced at such intervals as to localize damage to said containers by explosions, each container being formed of a section of pipe of materially larger cross-sectional area than ordinary flow conduits, but of materially smaller cross-sectional area and capacity than ordinary storage tanks each row including a plurality of said storage containers connected in series by liquid distribution pipes of small crosssectional area and capacity, checking means in said distribution pipes interposed between said storage containers for isolating the liquid in said storage containers, a filling pipe connecting the storage containers at one end of said rows, for distributing liquid to all of said storage containers and a draining pipe connecting the storage containers at the other end of said rows, for withdrawing liquid selectively from said rows.

4. A system for storing, distributing and protecting liquids comprising 4a plurality of rows of storage containers disposed beneath the surface of the earth and spaced at such intervals as to localize damage to said containers by explosions, each container being formed of a section of pipe of materially larger cross--sectional area than ordinary flow conduits, but of materially' smaller cross-sectional area and capacity than ordinary storage tanks, each row including a plurality of said storage containers' connected in series by liquid distribution pipes of small cross-sectional area and capacity, checking means in said distribution pipes interposed between said storage containers for isolating the liquid in said storage containers, a filling pipe connecting the storage containers at one end of said rows, for distribn uting liquid to all of said storage containers and a draining pipe connecting the storage containers at the other end of said rows, for withdrawing liquid selectively from said rows.

5. A liquid storage and distribution system comprising a plurality of rows ofY storage containers, each row including a plurality of storage containers, each container being formed of a section of pipe of materially larger cross-sem tional area than ordinary flow conduits, but of materially smaller cross-sectional area and capacity than ordinary storage tanks, said storage containers being disposed underground and spaced apart a sufficient distance to localize damage by explosions, liquid distribution pipes of small cross-sectional area and capacity connecting the interior of each storage container to adjacent storage containers to permit liquid to iiow from one storage container to the adjacent storage containers, valves in said distribution pipes for isolating said storage containers from each other and means accessible from the surface of the earth for opening and closing said valves.

6. A liquid storage and distribution system comprising a plurality of rows of storage containers, each row including a plurality of storage containers, .each container being formed of va section of pipe ormaterially larger cross-sectionalarea .than ordinary flow conduits, but of materially smaller cross-sectional area and storage capacity than ordinary storage tanks, said storage containers being spaced apart a suicient distance to localize damage by explosions, liquid distribution pipes of small cross-sectional area and capacity connecting said storage containers to permit liquid to iiow from one storage container to the adjacent storage containers, and vertically disposed substantially U-shaped sections of pipe of greater height than said storage containers forming apart of said liquid distribution pipes for checking flow of liquid from undamaged storage containers to damaged storage containers and distribution pipes.

7. A liquid storage and distribution system comprising a plurality of rows of spaced apart storage containers, each container being formed of a section of pipe of materially larger crosssectional area than ordinary iiow conduits, but of materially smaller cross-sectional area and capacity than ordinary storage tanks, liquid distributing pipes of small cross-sectional area and capacity connecting the storage containers in each row to permit liquid to flow through said distributing pipes from one storage container to another including a pair of communicating substantially U-shaped pipes of greater height than said storage containers adjacent the storage containers, and means for delivering liquid to and withdrawing liquid from said pipes and containers.

8. A liquid ystorage and distribution system comprising a plurality of rows of spaced apart storage containers, each container being formed of a section of pipe of materially larger crosssectional area than ordinary flow conduits, but of materially smaller cross-sectional area and capacity than ordinary storage tanks, liquid distributing pipes of small cross-sectional area and capacity connecting the storage containers in each row to permit liquid to iiow through said distributing pipes from one storage vcontainer to another including a pair of .communicating sub stantially U-shaped pipes of greater height than said storage containers adjacent the storage containers, air inlet valves in the top portions of said U-shaped pipes, and means for delivering liquid to and withdrawing liquid from saldppes and containers.

9. A liquid storage and distribution system comprising a plurality of rows of spaced `apart storage containers, each container being formed 4of a section ofxpipe of materially larger cross` sectional area lthan ordinary 'flow conduits, but of materially smaller crossesectional rareaand capacity than ordinary storage tanks, liquid distribution pipes of small cross-.sectional area `and capacity connecting `the :storage containers in each row to .permitiliquidxtouow through said .distribution pipes :fromone storage container to .'another, a valve .in each end of said distribution pipes adjacent to said storagecontainers for iso- .latin'gsaid storage containers and means for delivering vliquid to and withdrawing liquid from saidpipes andstorage containers.

.10..A liquid storageand distribution system comprising a Vplurality of rows .of spaced apart storage containers, each .container being formed of a section .of pipe `of materially larger crosssectional area than ordinary flow conduits, but of materially smaller cross-sectional area and capacity than .ordinarystorage tanks,liquid distribution pipes of .small cross-sectional .area and ,capacity connecting the storage .containers in each rowto permit .liquid to viiow through said :distribution `pipes from Aone storage .container to another, a valve in each'end ofsaid distribution pipes adjacent to .said storage containersfor isolating `said rstorage containers, liquid by-pass .pipes rof small cross-sectional'area and capacity connectedto the distributionpipes in said rows atpoints intermediate said valves, and means .for .delivering liquid tol'an'd Vwithdrawing liquid from said pipes and storage containers.

11. A liquid :storage Land distribution system Vcomprising aplurality :of rows of :spaced -apart 'storage containers, eachcontainer being formed of a section of pipe .of materially larger crosssectional area than ordinary flow conduits, but

of materially smaller Vcross-sectional area and capacity than ordinarystorage tanks, liquid dis- :tribution pipes of v.srnall cross-sectional `area and capacity connecting the storage containers in each row to permit liquid to now through said distribution pipes fromone storage container to another, a Valve in leach endof said distribution pipes adjacent to `saidstorage containers for isolating said storage containers, liquid byfpass pipes vof small cross-.sectionalxarea and capacity connected to and `communicating with the distribution pipes in said rows at points intermediate said'valves, valves insaid by-passpipesbetweensaid rows, and means for delivering liquid to land-withdrawing liquid from said-,pipesand containers.

WILLIAM VON PHUL, JR, 

